Bread of Life

"For the Bread of God is He who comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world” (John 6:33, Amp).

Who doesn't enjoy a slice of fresh, homemade bread with a slather of butter on top? The aroma is divine, and it's fresh, soft texture oozing with butter tantalizes the tastebuds. The enjoyment lasts only a brief moment, but can leave you with the desire for more. Just this week my daughter baked some fresh honey wheat bread from scratch and brought me a loaf. I was so excited to receive her offering and to indulge in it. I had stopped buying store-bought bread some time ago, and don't usually even eat bread anymore. So her homemade bread made from pure ingredients provided such a treat for me.

This loaf made me reflect what I had just read in chapter six of the gospel of John. Jesus identified Himself as the Bread of Life. "Then they said to Him, 'Lord, always give us this bread.' "Jesus replied to them, ' I Am the Bread of life. The one who comes to Me will never be hungry, and the one who believes in Me [as Savior] will never be thirsty [for that one will be sustained spiritually' " (John 6:34-35, Amp). This was the first of several I Am statements from Jesus. He identified Himself as Bread, the Bread of Life. Jesus is our Bread of Life who came down out of heaven to feed and nourish us spiritually. He gives us life if we come to Him and believe in Him, then we will be spiritually sustained. We must believe from our heart not from what the eyes may see. Jesus, the life-saving Bread, came down from heaven to complete the will of His Father. He will give you new life in Him. He is the true Bread out of heaven that provides salvation and everlasting life.

As this new year has begun, won't you have a new mindset, develop new habits, possibly praise more and petition less, and really partake in Christ. May you follow your resolution or mission statement for the new year: getting into shape, shedding a few pounds, going to the gym, exploring a new diet, etc.. But may you be hungry for the Bread of Life, experience it, and hunger for more! With Jesus, the true Bread of Life, you don't have to worry about what you are consuming whether it's healthy or gluten-free. For He, the Bread of Life, will never leave you hungry or spiritually malnourished. Jesus provides salvation and everlasting life through Himself. Won't you partake today? Jesus, the Bread of Life, is waiting for you to consume the Bread and be in relationship with Him for an eternity! You will never hunger again.

Father, we praise and honor You for providing the Bread of Life, Your Son, for our spiritual nourishment. We love You, Father, God. Thank You, Jesus for Your life-sustaining Bread of Life. May we consume the Bread and our souls be sustained in our walk with You. In Christ, Amen.